1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
If the Colts land the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft - and that's certainly looking like the case now that everyone else has at least two victories - the question isn't whom they'd select; it's what they would do with Andrew Luck.

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Some mocks will have Justin Blackmon slotted here. I think Matt Kalil is a no-brainer pick though. St. Louis' front office has way too much invested in Sam Bradford to have him suffer David Carr syndrome. The offensive line is a mess, as right tackle Jason Smith stinks and left tackle Rodger Saffold is too overmatched to be stationed on the blind side.

Getting better protection for Bradford is paramount, especially now in the wake of the Brandon Lloyd trade. And besides, Kalil is a (slightly) better prospect than Blackmon.

Pick change; previously Justin Blackmon, WR

3. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Vikings have to use this selection to give Christian Ponder some help - whether that's spending it on a left tackle to upgrade Charlie Johnson, or a wide receiver to give him a downfield threat. In the wake of Carolina's victory over the Colts, Minnesota now has Justin Blackmon available.

Blackmon, the top player available, wouldn't just be a No. 1 receiver for Ponder; he'd make defenses respect the pass more, which would open things up for Adrian Peterson.

If the Vikings win another game and can't draft Blackmon, they'll definitely consider Morris Claiborne, given how atrocious their secondary is.

Pick change; previously Alshon Jeffery, WR

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Blaine Gabbert has been terrible this year and has shown no signs of improvement. However, general manager Gene Smith was extended recently, so he'll have to stick with Gabbert.

The top non-quarterback available excluding Trent Richardson is Quinton Coples, who happens to fill a huge need for Jacksonville.

The Jaguars have ignored their pass rush long enough. They can't keep relying on Jeremy Mincey and Matt Roth to get to the quarterback if they want to knock off Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub next year.

5. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
The Panthers have major issues stopping both the run and the pass, so if Matt Kalil and Justin Blackmon are off the board, they should take the best defensive player available.

The top defender on the board is Morris Claiborne, who would instantly upgrade Carolina's poor group of corners. The Panthers are dead last against the pass (8.3 YPA) for a reason.

Pick change; previously Matt Kalil, OT

6. Miami Dolphins: Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor
Matt Barkley and Robert Griffin are 2 and 2a behind Andrew Luck. Well, I think Griffin is a player that owner Stephen Ross will covet over Barkley. All Ross wants to do is bring people to his stadium and hang out with celebrities, so a flashy player like Griffin might just be what he's looking for.

I guess this selection depends on how the Dolphins finish. If Matt Moore continues to play well and the Dolphins win enough games to save Tony Sparano's job, Miami could draft Morris Claiborne, Michael Floyd or Riley Reiff. If not, a new regime will want its own quarterback.

7. Washington Redskins: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Rex Grossman has inexplicably improved over the past two weeks, but the Redskins would be fools to give him another shot next year. He's a nice backup, but he's not anywhere near close to being a franchise quarterback.

As mentioned, Matt Barkley and Robert Griffin are 2 and 2a right now behind Andrew Luck. It'll depend on which team is drafting in terms of determining who goes before whom. Mike Shanahan is more traditional, so I think he's prefer the USC product. Not that it matters given the projected picks in this current mock.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
I've been writing for a couple of weeks that this is a tough spot for the Cardinals because none of the top players available fit their needs. Well, that's not the case anymore because Arizona is drafting late enough that one of the offensive tackles is no longer a reach. And Riley Reiff has improved his stock well enough that he's the No. 2 consensus player on the board behind Trent Richardson.

Reiff, who has passed Jonathan Martin, would address a colossal need, as tackles Levi Brown and Brandon Keith are struggling again. The Cardinals need to protect their $65 million investment in Kolb.

9. Philadelphia Eagles: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
I wrote last week that no one in Philly believes DeSean Jackson will be back next year; once you speak out against Andy Reid, you're done as an Eagle. And this was before Jackson was benched after dropping three passes against New England.

Reid and the front office seem to believe Jackson is too injury-prone to receive the amount he's asking for, and they're right - he's barely done anything since suffering a concussion against the Texans last year. If Jackson leaves, the Eagles will need a new receiver, and Alshon Jeffery is the top prospect on the board, save for Trent Richardson.

Pick change; previously Morris Claiborne, CB

10. Kansas City Chiefs: Landry "Lance" Jones, QB, Oklahoma
It was rumored that Todd Haley could be fired following a slow start at the beginning of the season. The scuttlebutt died down once the Chiefs won a few consecutive games, but if they finish with four or five victories, Haley's as good as gone.

If Haley leaves, I think Matt Cassel is going with him. Cassel is owed $5.25 million in 2012, so Scott Pioli could easily get rid of him in the spring. If so, he'll definitely be interested in one of the four franchise quarterbacks available in the 2012 NFL Draft.

11. Seattle Seahawks: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Marcus Trufant will be released this offseason because he's coming off a back injury and is due $7.2 million in 2012. Rookie Dick Sherman has played well in relief, but Seattle needs another starting cornerback, as Walter Thurmond and Brandon Browner would be better utilized as backups.

Besides, Dre Kirkpatrick is the top talent available, save for Trent Richardson. He's just slightly ahead of Michael Floyd, who would also make sense in this spot.

Richardson would definitely make sense if Marshawn Lynch leaves via free agency, but reports indicate that Seattle is negotiating a deal with him.

12. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
It's becoming pretty apparent that Peyton Hillis will not be back with the Browns next year. Montario Hardesty, meanwhile, cannot stay healthy. Cleveland needs a new running back so it doesn't have to start anyone named Chris Ogbonnaya in 2012.

Why not Trent Richardson? He's easily the best player available, and his pass-catching ability makes him a great fit in Cleveland's West Coast offense. Colt McCoy needs play-makers, and Richardson certainly qualifies as one.

13. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
How many years has everyone been yelling at A.J. Smith for not drafting an offensive tackle? Well, it's finally coming back to haunt the San Diego general manager, as Philip Rivers' pass blocking has been atrocious this year.

I know some of it has to do with injuries, but Jeromey Clary is still a sieve at right tackle. Smith signed Clary to what is essentially a 1-year deal this past offseason, so maybe, just maybe, he'll finally upgrade his offensive front.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
All indications are that the Buccaneers will go with a cornerback in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Aqib Talib could be going to jail, while Ronde Barber will be heading for retirement soon. The corner position is a dire need for Tampa.

The Buccaneers love Alfonzo Dennard, so much so that they'd take him over Dre Kirkpatrick, in my estimation. We've seen them take a player they're enamored with over a "better" consensus player this past April when they chose Adrian Clayborn over Cameron Jordan.

14. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
The Bills just paid Ryan Fitzpatrick a ton of money, so they need to find some help for him. Coincidentally, Michael Floyd happens to be the best player available.

Buffalo could definitely stand to upgrade the receiver position across from the butterfingered Steve Johnson - especially after David Nelson committed the unforgivable sin of giving a football to a Cowboy cheerleader.

15. Tennessee Titans: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
Head coach Mike Munchak has publicly criticized the offensive line, blaming the unit for not opening up enough running lanes for Chris Johnson. Munchak could look to upgrade the front early in the 2012 NFL Draft.

David DeCastro is one of the top interior linemen prospects to come along in years, and he's the highest-ranked prospect on the board who makes sense for Tennessee. This is a perfect match.

HERE ARE PICKS 17-32 (http://walterfootball.com/draft2012_1.php)

Nightfyre

12-01-2011, 02:37 PM

KC will pick in the top 5, imo.

Bewbies

12-01-2011, 03:11 PM

Yeah, we won't be at 10. RGIII or bust for me...

Nightfyre

12-01-2011, 03:37 PM

Yeah, we won't be at 10. RGIII or bust for me...

+1

El Jefe

12-02-2011, 03:11 PM

Yeah, we won't be at 10. RGIII or bust for me...

+1

jd1020

12-07-2011, 11:20 PM

His new one...

14. Kansas City Chiefs: Landry "Lance" Jones, QB, Oklahoma
It was rumored that Todd Haley could be fired following a slow start at the beginning of the season. The scuttlebutt died down once the Chiefs won a few consecutive games, but if they finish with four or five victories, Haley's as good as gone.

If Haley leaves, I think Matt Cassel is going with him. Cassel is owed $5.25 million in 2012, so Scott Pioli could easily get rid of him in the spring. If so, he'll definitely be interested in one of the four franchise quarterbacks available in the 2012 NFL Draft - unless, of course, my random prediction about Peyton Manning going to the Chiefs somehow comes to fruition.

45. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
If the Chiefs aren't confident in sixth-round rookie Jerrell Powe's progression, they could opt to select their nose tackle of the future in this spot.

76. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn
Right tackle Barry Richardson is a sieve in pass protection. Jared Gaither was foolishly waived (typical dumb Todd Haley move), so Kansas City will be looking for an upgrade at the position.

This is actually one of his first mocks that I could get behind 100%

O.city

12-08-2011, 12:57 AM

You like Landry Jones that much?

O.city

12-08-2011, 01:01 AM

HIs latest draft has the Jags taking Barkley at 4.

Conceivably RGIII or Barkley could be sitting there when we pick if it went the way he says it will, outside of the Jags. I don't see how they can turn on Gabbert that fast.

jd1020

12-08-2011, 07:42 AM

You like Landry Jones that much?

He's my 5th ranked QB, but outside of Luck and Barkley hes the only 1st round QB that fits Pioli's style. If we were looking at QB's in the first he's most likely going to be the guy. I don't see this "Cassel 2.0" that some CPers see. I see Rivers, but he needs to develop. Some times when he's facing pressure he tries to run out of the pocket when all he needs to do is step up or slide step inside. He's got the size. He's got the arm. He's got the experience, unlike Cassel. He just needs some tweaking, along with every other QB in this draft.

jd1020

12-08-2011, 07:44 AM

HIs latest draft has the Jags taking Barkley at 4.

Conceivably RGIII or Barkley could be sitting there when we pick if it went the way he says it will, outside of the Jags. I don't see how they can turn on Gabbert that fast.

???

Did you miss the Dolphins, Browns, and Seahawks all picking before us? Barkley will be going to one of those teams if the Jags don't take him. Washington will pick RG3 if he's on the board. He's a Shanahan guy.

Hell, even Jones might be off the boards the way he's got the draft positions mocked out.

Nightfyre

12-08-2011, 08:37 AM

???

Did you miss the Dolphins, Browns, and Seahawks all picking before us? Barkley will be going to one of those teams if the Jags don't take him. Washington will pick RG3 if he's on the board. He's a Shanahan guy.

Hell, even Jones might be off the boards the way he's going the draft positions mocked out.

I'd bet Shanahan likes Tannehill quite a bit as well. Wouldn't be surprised to see him as the third QB on his big board, even.

jd1020

12-08-2011, 08:47 AM

I'd bet Shanahan likes Tannehill quite a bit as well. Wouldn't be surprised to see him as the third QB on his big board, even.

Agreed.

BigCatDaddy

12-08-2011, 11:45 AM

His new one...

[B]45. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
If the Chiefs aren't confident in sixth-round rookie Jerrell Powe's progression, they could opt to select their nose tackle of the future in this spot.

That would be really confusing.

Nightfyre

12-08-2011, 11:52 AM

Why would that be confusing?

BigCatDaddy

12-08-2011, 12:29 PM

Why would that be confusing?

2 Powe/Poe's playing DT. It was a funny.

Dexter Manley

12-08-2011, 01:53 PM

Yeah, we won't be at 10. RGIII or bust for me...

There is a lot to like about that kid.

However, the track record of the "running QB" staying healthy in the NFL is not good.

RGIII needs to learn to slide, go out of bounds, and not run so much. Getting him to do that may not be as easy as it sounds - just ask Vick...

BigCatDaddy

12-08-2011, 01:57 PM

There is a lot to like about that kid.

However, the track record of the "running QB" staying healthy in the NFL is not good.

RGIII needs to learn to slide, go out of bounds, and not run so much. Getting him to do that may not be as easy as it sounds - just ask Vick...

He isn't really a "Running QB'. He averaged 330 yards per game passing and completed 72% of his passes. The rushing yards are just gravy.

Nightfyre

12-08-2011, 02:01 PM

Oh, I get it now. LMAO

Dexter Manley

12-08-2011, 02:23 PM

He isn't really a "Running QB'. He averaged 330 yards per game passing and completed 72% of his passes. The rushing yards are just gravy.

He's done a better job this year avoiding hits, and that's demonstrates progress, but he is still running and taking more hits than you would want an NFL QB to take.

But, heck, he is the Baylor QB who beat OU, and for that, I having nothing but the highest for him...

BigCatDaddy

12-08-2011, 02:30 PM

He's done a better job this year avoiding hits, and that's demonstrates progress, but he is still running and taking more hits than you would want an NFL QB to take.

But, heck, he is the Baylor QB who beat OU, and for that, I having nothing but the highest for him...

That is easily correctable. What is not is a one read and run QB which he obviously is not.

Nightfyre

12-08-2011, 03:19 PM

He's done a better job this year avoiding hits, and that's demonstrates progress, but he is still running and taking more hits than you would want an NFL QB to take.

But, heck, he is the Baylor QB who beat OU, and for that, I having nothing but the highest for him...

I suspect that RGIII's current running tendancies are more a product of how he is being coached to play in the system Baylor built around him. Here, he would probably be taught that running is only okay with wide open seams and that he has to slide at the end of a run or get oob. JMO.

jd1020

12-09-2011, 03:10 PM

There is another guy, Charlie Campbell, on walterfootball.com who's been keeping up on his mocks. Here's what he has as of 12/9...

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
If the Chiefs can land a left tackle like Reiff, that would allow them to move Brandon Albert to another area of need, like guard or right tackle. That would be a big improvement for the Kansas City offensive line. Reiff has the combination of size and mobility that Chiefs' offensive coordinator and offensive-line guru Bill Muir loves. Drafting the tackle would upgrade the Kansas City line at two spots.

Reiff has been a solid left tackle for Iowa. At 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, he has the frame to add some more power. Reiff is a technician who has been well-coached at Iowa. The junior looks like he has the ability to switch to right tackle, and possibly guard, if needed, but would have to put on some weight for either of those positions. Reiff's natural position is left tackle, and he should turn into a quality left tackle in the NFL.

Reiff had a very good game against Pittsburgh defensive end Brandon Lindsey. The rest of Reiff's schedule was very manageable. He had no issues with Michigan's defenders and played well against Nebraska.

45. Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel will turn 30 just after the 2012 NFL Draft. The team could groom a new quarterback for a year or two behind him. Tyler Palko and Ricky Stanzi have been so impressive that Kansas City picked up Kyle Orton and promptly put him in the lineup after Cassel was lost for the season.

The 6-foot-4, 222-pound Tannehill is a good athlete who can make big plays with his feet and a strong arm. This season, he has completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,711 yards with 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The senior also has rushed for 296 yards with four touchdowns. Tannehill has been inconsistent and is still developing at the position. He played well against Baylor and Missouri, but struggled against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas.

Others are higher on him, but Tannehill has only played one full season at quarterback. The signal caller has struggled in big games this season and will need time to develop at the pro level. After the bowl game, he will have 20 collegiate starts at quarterback.

As a wide out in 2008, Tannehill caught 55 passes for 844 yards and five touchdowns. He switched to quarterback in 2010 and played well in the last half of the season as the Aggies' starter. Tannehill completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,638 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.

77. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Chapman, DT, Alabama
The Chiefs address their nose tackle position with Chapman. Their current starter, Kelly Gregg, is 34 and won't play forever. Jerrell Powe hasn't proven to be able to start over the veteran yet, and Chapman could provide some competition and depth with Powe.

The 6-foot-1, 310-pound Chapman is Alabama's nose tackle in their 3-4 defense, and he has had a quality 2011 season. Chapman does a good job of plugging his gap and occupying blockers to keep them off the Crimson Tide's inside linebackers. Thus far in 2011, he has recorded 22 tackles with 3.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and two passes batted down.

Either one of these latest mocks I'd be pleased with.

Dexter Manley

12-09-2011, 06:14 PM

jd, if you want to "keep up with the mocks," there are plenty of "journalists" guessing right now to keep you occupied.

The first step is to wait and see who is actually in the Draft and who isn't... and that's two months away...

O.city

12-10-2011, 03:31 PM

jd, I actually like that draft. I'd rather try and get something besides a RT in the first but i guess I'd be ok with that.